Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 22: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the different methods he will employ from his predecessors in order to revive the Irish language. [13095/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 115: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his proposals for the development of the Irish language through education, broadcasting, the arts, culture and business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12968/11]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 115 together.

The 20-year strategy for the Irish language lays out a comprehensive strategy for preservation and promotion of the Irish language. It encompasses a total of nine priority areas for action – education, the Gaeltacht, family transmission of the language and early intervention, administration, services and community, media and technology, dictionaries, legislation and status, economic life and cross-cutting initiatives. I have already referred to the most immediate priority for my Department and its agencies, which is the linguistic crisis in the Gaeltacht. The comprehensive linguistic study of the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht, which was carried out for my Department in 2007, indicated that if urgent remedial action is not taken, Irish may have a lifespan of just 15 or 20 years as a community and household language in the Gaeltacht. The House discussed the position in this regard in the context of an earlier question.

The Government has approved the following approaches with regard to implementation of the 20-year strategy. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will retain the central overarching responsibility for Irish language affairs. Foras na Gaeilge will continue to deliver on its all-island remit as an agency of the North-South language implementation body. The implementation of the strategy outside the Gaeltacht will be the responsibility of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in co-operation with the relevant State partners. The possibility of the delivery of some elements of the strategy being assigned to Foras na Gaeilge on an agreed basis will be pursued. The implementation of the strategy within the Gaeltacht will be the responsibility of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

A strategy unit has been established in my Department. Officials are currently completing the drafting of one-year and three-year operational plans for implementation of the strategy. I anticipate that these plans will be published in due course. Deputies will be aware that a range of ideas in regard to the promotion of Irish were proposed on the floor of the House during a recent debate in Irish. I anticipate that further discussions will take place in this regard, including in the context of future proceedings of the newly established Joint Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

I assure the House that I will seek to engage constructively on these matters in the context of promoting the implementation of the 20-year strategy.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State. First, I apologise that I cannot respond in Irish or as Gaeilge because tá náire mór orm Gaeilge a labhairt because I, like many people, am afraid that I will make an eejit of myself. That is people's main worry about speaking the Irish language.

I am not sure whether I should have directed this to the Minister for Education and Skills or to the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley. I am not sure who will really take responsibility for the future of the Irish language. Perhaps I should have directed it towards the Minister for Education and Skills because that is the main place where my children and all the neighbours' children will learn the Irish language. On a personal level, I am wondering is there anything innovative or different that can be done to avoid my kids having to go through the torture of being taught Irish the way it is currently taught. That is nothing against the teachers who are trying their best. It seems nearly impossible to catch the children's imagination. I am merely wondering is there anything different that will be done because I believe that the Irish language will be wiped out within 20 years unless we do something imaginative.

Would the Minister of State consider the idea, as I stated here on the day we had the debate on the Irish language, of a text-only-in-Irish day or maybe contact some of the companies which produce chocolate, such as Cadbury, to ask is it possible to get some wrappers in Irish?

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I congratulate the Sinn Féin TDs who, since they have come in here, along with other TDs, have brought the Irish language back here in more of a way than I have ever seen previously.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can actually understand some of it. It is quite hopeful.

I would be interested to hear has the Government any innovative plans.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan. He need not be worried. His heart is in the right place. Ní fhéadfaidh sé aon náire a bheith air.

I recall his contribution to the debate on the Irish language some time ago here in the Dáil where he spoke from the heart and I remember some of the valid constructive points he made at that time. They were almost semi-autobiographical, if I can put it that way. He told of his experience of going to school and I do not think he understood "Ní thuigim". He could not buy a loaf through Irish but he was able to give a literary analysis of "An Droimeann Donn Dílis" - My Faithful Brown Cow. Is it not all there?

Certainly, we must look at other ways of passing on the language. As far as the Department of Education and Skills is concerned, there is a top-level committee of senior officials from my Department and the Department of Education and Skills looking at ways and means that we can improve the teaching of language at that level.

As the Deputy stated, perhaps more fluently than I can put it because I have not got the time either, the days of talk and chalk are no longer acceptable and we must look at new ways, means and technology. Even today, I had someone in the Department from Trinity College who had new ways and means of teaching Irish through the new technology games etc. There are huge possibilities out there and we merely must sit down to try to figure them out and exploit them for the benefit of the language to ensure it is passed on to the next generation.

I remember what Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan said. He made many relevant points. I appreciate his contribution.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Flanagan. Ní chóir go mbeadh náire air. Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste. Broken Irish is sometimes better than smart English. Ba mhaith liom ceist beag amháin a chur an an Aire Stáit. Cé hiad na hAirí a ghlacann páirt sa choiste idir-rannach atá ag déanamh monatóireacht ar an straitéis? Cad iad na feidhmeanna atá acu? Cathain a bhíonn an coiste ag bualadh? Cén teanga ina dhéanann an coiste a chuid oibre?

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tá cuig Ranna i gceist - Roinn an Taoisigh, an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna, an Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha, an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta agus an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil. Tá an Taoiseach ina chathaoirleach ar an gcoiste.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An mbíonn na hAirí go léir ina suí ar an gcoiste?

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Muna mbíonn na hAirí ann, bíonn na hArd-Rúnaithe ann. Bhí dhá chruinniú ag an gcoiste go dtí seo. Mar a dúirt mé, sílim go mbeidh cruinnithe rialta againn as seo amach.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Bíonn na cruinnithe dhátheangach - i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla - mar atá an díospóireacht anseo inniu.